Mounting for terracing blade

ABSTRACT

A mounting for a terracing or like earth-moving blade having a first frame adapted to be attached to the rear of a tractor, a pair of transversely spaced substantially vertical pivots mounted in the first frame, a second frame disposed rearwardly of the first frame, a second pair of transversely spaced substantially vertical pivots mounted in the second frame, and a pair of parallel longitudinally extending members joining the first and second frames, the forward ends of the channel members being rotatably mounted one on each of the first pair of pivots and the rearward ends of the members being rotatably mounted one on each of the second pair of pivots, whereby the second frame may be moved transversely but maintained parallel with respect to the first frame. A substantially vertical member depends from and is rotatably attached to the second frame, and an earth-moving blade is mounted on the vertical member for rotation therewith relative to the second frame. Means are also provided to permit the earthmoving blade to rotate about a horizontal axis through the vertical member.

1 United States Patent 72 Inventor Calvin F. Martin l 1,141,103 871957 France 172/446 Rte. 1,801: 136, Nyssa, Oreg. 97913 1,058,294 5/1959 Germany 172/446 11971 Primary Examiner-William B. Penn [45] Patented Oct 1971 Assistant Examiner-Stephen C. Pellegrino AttorneyBuckhorn, Blore, Klarquist and Sparkman ABSTRACT: A mounting for a terracing or like earth-moving [54] MOUNTING FOR TERRACING BLADE blade having a first frame adapted to be attached to the rear of 1 Claim,3 Drawing Figs. a tractor, a pair of transversely spaced substantially vertical s2 u.s.c1 172/447 "mumed the a 56mm frame disPJsed 172/484 172/667 172/743: rearwardly of the first frame, a second pair of transversely [51] lnt.Cl. ..A0 lb 59/06, spaced lia lylver tical pivots mounted in the second 63/00 m frame, and a pan of parallel longitudinally extending members 50 Field of Search ..I 172/446 liming the first and'semnd frames the ends the 447 741 667 743 305 324 325 476 channel members being rotatably mounted one on each of the first pair of pivots and the rearward ends of the members being 5 References Cited rotatably mounted one on each of the second pair of pivots, UNITED STATES PATENTS whereby the second frame may be moved transversely but r l maintained parallel with respect to the first frame. A substan- 2,740,214 4/1956 Coll ns 172/447 tially vertical member depends from and is rotatably attached i l to the second frame, and an earth-moving blade is mounted on 3486'567 l 9 w 172 484x the vertical member for rotation therewith relat1ve to the 2/1 69 eaver l second frame. Means are also provided to permit the earth- FOREIGN ATENTS l moving blade to rotate about a horizontal axis through the verl 2/1954 France 172/667 l tical member.

PATENTEnum 19 197i SHEET 10F 2 F MART IN INVENTOR m v L A C BUCKHORN, BLORE; KLAROU/S T 8 SPAR/(MAN A7 TOR/VEYS MOUNTING FOR TERRACING BLADE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a mounting for a terracing or like earth-moving blade.

Mountings for grader or scraper blades have been provided in which the blade may be pivoted with the mounting and also relative thereto, thereby to permit it to be swung transversely to either side of the vehicle which propels it. Such mountings, however, have generally required a number of adjustments in order for the blade to be positioned in a desired given position. The primary object of the present invention is to provide a mounting for an earth-moving blade in which the blade may be swung transversely to either side of the vehicle propelling it without the necessity of making corrective adjusts in the relative attachment of the blade to the mounting. A further object of the present invention is to provide such a mounting that will be simpler to construct and maintain than mountings heretofore available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a mounting for an earthmoving blade is provided having a first frame adapted to be attached to the rear of a tractor, the first frame having a pair of transversely spaced substantially vertical pivots mounted therein. A second frame is disposed rearwardly of the first frame and has a second pair of transversely spaced substantially vertical pivots mounted therein. A pair of substantially parallel longitudinally extending members join the first and second frames, the forward ends of the members being rotatably mounted one on each of the first pair of pivots, and the rearward ends of the members being rotatably mounted one on each of the second pair of pivots. Thus, the second frame is adapted to move transversely but in parallelism to the first frame when the longitudinally extending members are rotated on their pivotal supports.

A vertical member is provided depending from and rotatably attached to the second frame, the earth-moving blade being mounted on the vertical member and being further adapted to rotate about a horizontal axis therethrough. Thus, the earth-moving blade may rotate about a vertical axis through the second frame and therewith relative to the first frame, and the blade may also rotate about the horizontal axis through its point of attachment to the vertical member which supports it.

Although it can be seen that the blade may be adjusted in position relative to the second frame, it should be noted that the blade may be swung to either side of the vehicle propelling it without additional adjustment being required between the blade and the mounting, since the second frame automatically stays parallel to the first frame by means of its parallelogram type of attachment thereto. When the longitudinally extending members are rotated on their pivotal supports, the second frame undergoes a generally transverse movement with respect to the first frame but its elements remain parallel thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view showing in full lines the mountings of the present invention, the position of the structure in phantom lines being illustrative of its position when the longitudinally extending members are pivoted about their mountings. An adjusted position of the blade is also shown in phantom lines wherein the blade has been rotated about the vertical axis of the second frame after it has been moved therewith relative to the first frame.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the mounting illustrated in FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and illustrating in phantom lines the position of the grader blade when it is rotated about a horizontal axis through its point of attachment to the vertical member which supports it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the rear portion of a conventional farm traction having ground wheels 11 and a conventional power lift mechanism including levers 12, drawbar pivots l3, and intermediate hitch lugs 14. Indicated at 18 is the adjustable mounting of the invention which is adapted to connect a terracing blade 15 or like instrument to such power lift mechanism. Although the invention is illustrated in connection with a ter ,acing blade, it should be understood that a grader or scraper blade or a scoop may be likewise accommodated. The blade 15 comprises a mold board 16 and cutting edge 17.

The mounting 18 includes an upright frame 20 of generally boxlike construction having an upper deck 21 supported on sidewalls 23 which in turn are supported by a lower deck 25 terminating in lower sidewalls 26. A pair of external pivot pins 22 are attached by nuts 24 to the lower sidewalls 26, which pins 22 are attached by a pair of arms 28 to the draw bar pivots 13. A pair of links 30 pivotally connect the intermediate portions of the arms 28 to the levers 12. A suitable link 32 pivotally connects a pair of lugs 34 welded to the upper deck 21 of the frame 20 to the hitch lugs 14. Thus, the frame 20 is adapted to be maintained substantially upright by the link 32 upon being raised and lowered by the lift levers [2.

A pair of pivot pins 36 are mounted for vertical rotation in the frame 20. The pins 36 are transversely spaced and are retained between the upper surface 38 of the deck 21 and the lower surface 40 of the the deck 25.

A pair of parallel longitudinally extending beams 42 are rotatably mounted at their forward ends 44, one on each of the pivot pins 36. The beams 42 are rotatably mounted at their rearward ends 46, one on each of a pair similar transversely spaced vertical pivot pins 48 mounted in the forepart of a second frame 50.

Frame 50 is of generally truncated parallelepiped form, having an upper deck 52 and a lower deck 54. The upper deck 52 slants downwardly rearwardly of the pivot pins 48 and terminates in a second deck 56. The pivot pins 48 are supported between the horizontal upper deck 52 and the lower deck 54. A spring-biased locking pin 58 is supported between the decks 54 and 56 for selective adjustment of the blade 15 with respect to the frame 50 as will be hereinafter described. Joining the frame 20 to the frame 50 by means of the parallel beams 42 permits the frame 50 to move transversely with respect to the frame 20 and thus with respect to the tractor 10 always with its forward edge 60 parallel to the rearward edge 62 of the frame 20. (See phantom line position in FIG. 1).

Adjustable means 63 are provided to lock the parallel beams 42 against rotation on the pins 36 and 48. Such means comprise a tubular member 64 pivotally attached to a bracket 65 welded to one of the beams 42 and a sleeve 66 adapted to receive member 64 and pivotally attached to a bracket 67 welded to the frame 20. The member 64 is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced apertures 68 for receiving a pin 69 supported by the sleeve 66 to hold the structure in adjusted positions. Alternatively, the members 64 and 66 could be replaced with a hydraulic piston and cylinder should such be desired.

A generally circular plate 70 is rotatably attached at its center to the lower deck 54 of the frame 50 by means of a shoulder bolt 81 and locknut 83. A second upright frame 72 having vertical sidewalls 74 is welded to the lower surface of the plate 70. The blade 15 is attached to a vertical plate 76, the blade 15 and plate 76 being mounted on a pin 77 received in the forward wall 78 of the frame 72 and retained by a nut 85. Since the frame 72 is attached to the plate 70 which is rotatably mounted underneath the frame 50, the blade 15 may be rotated in an arc about the vertical axis 79 through the bolt 81 and the center of the plate 70.

For securing the blade 15 in adjusted positions, the plate 70 is provided with circumferentially spaced notches 80 in its periphery for selective engagement with the spring-biased pin 58. FIG. 1 also illustrates in phantom lines the position of the blade 15 after it has been rotated about the vertical axis 79, although it should be understood that the blade 15 may be moved behind either wheel 11 of the tractor with its forward cutting edge 17 perpendicular to the part thereof with no rotation about the axis 79 being required.

The vertical plate 76 is provided at its upper surface 82 with a series of apertures 84 for selective engagement with another spring-biased pin 86. As a result, the blade and the plate 76 may be rotated about the horizontal axis through its point of attachment to the forward wall 78 of the frame 72 (pin 77) and held in adjusted positions by means of the pin 86. (See phantom line position in FIG. 3).

Alternatively, the pins 58 and 86 can be replaced with worm gears driven by hydraulic motors, thereby to make it possible fully to adjust the position of the blade 15 from a remote location, as from the tractor seat.

By the construction above described and illustrated, it is apparent that the blade 15 may be rotated about the horizontal axis through the pin 77 and also about the vertical axis 79 through the bolt 81 and plate 70 and held in adjusted positions by means of the spring-biased pins 86 and 58, respectively. The blade 15 may also travel with the frame 50 parallel to the rearward edge 62 of the frame by means of the parallel beams 42 which connect the frame 20 and 50, the frame 50 being held in adjusted positions by the pin 69 between the members 64 and 66.

The construction makes it possible to position the blade 15 immediately behind and in alignment with either wheel 11 of the tractor 10, with no adjustment with respect to the frame 50 being required if the blade is to remain perpendicular to the path of the vehicle. The frame 50 is merely moved to either side, the beams 42 rotating on the pivot pins 36 and 48, and the blade is thereby undergoes no rotation with respect to the vertical axis 79 through the plate 70.

The above construction also makes it possible to utilize a double wall construction to stiffen and reinforce the blade 15. In the preferred construction, the plate 15 comprises the mold board 16 and an integral vertical member 92 which is positioned rearwardly of the mold board 16 to stiffen and reinforce the same. The member 92 is in turn, welded to the vertical plate 76, the entire assembly being rotatably mounted on the forward wall 78 of the frame 72 by means of the pin 77.

I claim: 1. mounting for attaching an earth-moving blade to a tractor comprising a first frame adapted to be attached to the rear of a tractor;

a first pair of transversely spaced substantially vertical pivots mounted in said first frame;

a second frame disposed rearwardly of said first frame;

a second pair of transversely spaced substantially vertical pivots mounted in said second frame;

a pair of substantially parallel, longitudinally extending membersjoining said first and second frames, the forward ends of said members being rotatably mounted one on each of said first pair of pivots, and the rearward ends of said members being rotatably mounted one on each of said second pair of pivots, whereby said second frame may move transversely in parallelism with respect to said first frames, each said member consisting of a single, structurally shaped beam having a center part and a top horizontal flange and a bottom horizontal flange;

an operative pair of slideably movable sleeve and arm means to lock said parallel members in adjusted position against rotation relative to said first frame, one member of said pair being attached to said first frame, the other member being attached to one of said parallel longitudinally extending members;

a substantially vertical member depending from and rotatably attached to said second frame;

an earth-moving blade mounted on said vertical member for rotation therewith about a vertical axis relative to said second frame, said earth moving blade comprising a mold board and a stiffening member attached to said mold 

1. MOUNTING FOR ATTACHING AN EARTH-MOVING BLADE TO A TRACTOR COMPRISING A FIRST FRAME ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE REAR OF A TRACTOR; A FIRST PAIR OF TRANSVERSELY SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL PIVOTS MOUNTED IN SAID FIRST FRAME; A SECOND FRAME DISPOSED REARWARDLY OF SAID FIRST FRAME; A SECOND PAIR OF TRANSVERSELY SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL PIVOTS MOUNTED IN SAID SECOND FRAME; A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL, LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING MEMBERS JOINING SAID FIRST AND SECOND FRAMES, THE FORWARD ENDS OF SAID MEMBERS BEING ROTATABLY MOUNTED ONE ON EACH OF SAID FIRST PAIR OF PIVOTS, AND THE REARWARD ENDS OF SAID MEMBERS BEING ROTATABLY MOUNTED ONE ON EACH OF SAID SECOND PAIR OF PIVOTS, WHEREBY SAID SECOND FRAME MAY MOVE TRANSVERSELY IN PARALLELISM WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST FRAMES, EACH SAID MEMBER CONSISTING OF A SINGLE, STRUCTURALLY SHAPED BEAM HAVING A CENTER PART AND A TOP HORIZONTAL FLANGE AND A BOTTOM HORIZONTAL FLANGE; AN OPERATIVE PAIR OF SLIDEABLY MOVABLE SLEEVE AND ARM MEANS TO LOCK SAID PARALLEL MEMBERS IN ADJUSTED POSITION AGAINST ROTATION RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST FRAME, ONE MEMBER OF SAID PAIR BEING ATTACHED TO SAID FIRST FRAME, THE OTHER MEMBER BEING ATTACHED TO ONE OF SAID PARALLEL LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING MEMBERS; A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL MEMBER DEPENDING FROM AND ROTATABLY ATTACHED TO SAID SECOND FRAME; AN EARTH-MOVING BLADE MOUNTED ON SAID VERTICAL MEMBER FOR ROTATION THEREWITH ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS RELATIVE TO SAID SECOND FRAME, SAID EARTH MOVING BLADE COMPRISING A MOLD BOARD AND A STIFFENING MEMBER ATTACHED TO SAID MOLD BOARD AND POSITIONED REARWARDLY THEREOF, SAID STIFFENING MEMBER EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY THE FULL WIDTH OF SAID MOLD BOARD TO PROVIDE A DOUBLE-WALL CONSTRUCTION THEREFOR, SAID MOLD BOARD AND SAID STIFFENING MEMBER BEING ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID VERTICAL MEMBER ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS THERETHROUGH; MEANS LOCKING SAID VERTICAL MEMBER IN ADJUSTED POSITIONS AGAINST ROTATION ABOUT SAID VERTICAL AXIS RELATIVE TO SAID SECOND FRAME; AND MEANS LOCKING SAID MOLD BOARD AND SAID STIFFENING MEMBER IN ADJUSTED POSITIONS AGAINST ROTATION ABOUT SAID HORIZONTAL AXIS. 